Accused lawmaker Smith should quit, Quinn says

State Rep. Derrick Smith, D-Chicago, was arrested a week before the March 20 primary election on federal charges alleging he took a $7,000 cash bribe. (E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune 2011)

SPRINGFIELD — — Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday called for a Chicago lawmaker facing federal bribery charges to quit on the eve of a House hearing that could lead to punishment ranging from censure to expulsion.

The Democratic governor also pressed Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, to let the full Senate vote on a bill that would abolish the oft-abused legislative scholarship program.

Quinn and other top Democrats, ranging from Mayor Rahm Emanuel to Secretary of State Jesse White, are calling for the resignation of Democratic Rep. Derrick Smith, who was arrested a week before the March 20 primary election on federal charges alleging he took a $7,000 cash bribe.

But neither Quinn nor other leading Democrats would take a stand on Smith before the election, when it might have affected the outcome of his race against a primary challenger who is a former Cook County Republican official.

"I really feel that Rep. Smith would do himself a favor by taking the advice of Secretary of State Jesse White and many, many others and resigning," Quinn said. "If he doesn't resign, I think Rep. Smith should be aware that he may indeed be expelled."

White, whose West Side organization engineered Smith's appointment to the Legislature last year, is among the Democratic party bosses who would determine how to replace Smith in the House and on the November ballot if he quits.

Smith has been in seclusion since his arrest and has not responded to numerous attempts for comment. He is not expected to be present Tuesday when a House investigative panel convenes to begin looking into his case, said Rep. Elaine Nekritz, who chairs the committee.

Last week, the House passed a bill to eliminate the controversial legislative scholarships that some lawmakers have awarded to relatives and political supporters. Quinn said that the full Senate should be allowed to vote on a ban and that Cullerton should not let it stall in committee.

Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon said bills addressing the issue "will follow the normal legislative process," including going before a committee to get to the full Senate. Cullerton has preferred tightening the requirements rather than eliminating the program.

Quinn fielded a variety of other questions after a Springfield speech, including whether his brother, coach John Quinn at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, could be the new University of Illinois basketball coach.

The governor quipped that he would call him up and "tell him to apply." Quinn said his brother won't cost as much as prior Illinois coaches.